Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Condemns Court-Ordered Surveys of Religious Sites, Warns of Dangerous Consequences

SRINAGAR: Following in the footsteps of leaders Mehbooba Mufti and Sajad Lone, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the influential chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has strongly condemned the ongoing court-ordered surveys of Muslim religious sites, calling them a “dangerous trend” that could have serious repercussions.

Addressing a gathering at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Friday, the Mirwaiz referred to the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where five individuals lost their lives during a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. “The killing of these youth in discriminatory police action is both distressing and condemnable,” he said, expressing deep concern over the incident.

While the Sambhal violence continues to make headlines, another court in Ajmer, Rajasthan, has ordered a survey of the revered dargah of Sufi saint Hazrat Moinuddin Chisti, adding to the controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, where a survey is already underway. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq raised alarm over what he perceives as a disturbing pattern: “First, doubts are raised, then courts order surveys, and finally, majority claims must be satisfied,” he remarked, referring to claims that many mosques and Sufi shrines were allegedly built on the remnants of Hindu temples.

Pointing to the still-fresh memories of the Babri Masjid dispute, the Mirwaiz underscored the growing sense of unease among Muslims in India, Kashmir, and the wider subcontinent. “This is a deeply disturbing and serious issue, one that undermines the religious sentiments of millions of Muslims in this region,” he said, adding that such actions, supported by the judiciary and the government, were creating unnecessary tensions.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also questioned the principles of India’s secular state, as outlined in its Constitution, which includes the Places of Worship Act. “If India is truly a secular state, why are issues like these continually brought up and entertained?” he asked.

He further warned that this ongoing trend could have severe consequences, highlighting the concern surrounding the proposed waqf amendment bill that has added to the anxiety of Muslims across India and Jammu and Kashmir. The Mirwaiz cautioned that if the authorities do not address this growing discontent, they would be solely responsible for the backlash from the people.

Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, he added, are watching these developments closely, and if the mindset behind such actions is not curbed, it could lead to further unrest.